More than 30 conference sessions have already been confirmed for Intermodal Europe 2014, from 11-13 November at the Rotterdam Ahoy.

“We are well ahead of schedule with a conference programme divided into topic groups providing more focus for delegates to help maximise their time at the event” explains Sophie Ahmed, Event Director. “Feature sessions will include a workshop about shipping and freight forwarding, a container forum, intermodal market trends and focuses on Asia and technology, among others.”

Shipping and Freight Forwarding

A workshop for shippers and freight forwarders titled ‘Intelligent Logistics through Partnering in the Supply Chain’ will be held on day 2 of the three day event. Chaired by Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of European freight forwarders association, CLECAT, and Joost Sitskoorn, Acting Secretary General of the European Shippers Council (ESC), the session will include several presentations from industry experts and a round table discussion.

“We will discuss the increasing innovation in this industry, such as the development of intelligent cargo to improve efficiency and sustainability, and the management of complex supply chains through intelligent IT systems,” explains Nicolette van der Jagt. “We are also chairing these sessions in cooperation with iCARGO, a project that aims to advance the use of ICT (information and Communications Technology) in support of new logistics services.”

Container Forum

The container forum, held on day 2, will also look at innovations, in the container industry and the challenges facing tank container operations.

“Intermodal Europe is important because it is the only event that brings together all leasing companies and reefer machinery producers under one roof” says General Manager of the Container Owners Association (COA), Michael Callus, who will chair the forum. “There is a lot of attendance from the USA, although we have seen a big increase of interest from the Far East, coming from the new container manufacturers and suppliers of containers.”

A conference session looking at tank containers used in the transportation of liquids and gases will be presented by Mr Jaco Hooij, Business Unit Director Den Hartogh Liquid Logistics, who will give an insight from the perspective of a logistics service provider (LSP).

Managing Director of Holland Container Innovations (HCI), Simon Bosschieter, will present a conference session exploring innovations in container design and, as part of the exhibition, will officially launch 4FOLD, the world’s first and only fully certified 40ft HC foldable container, at the event.

Intermodal Market Trends

Intermodal market trends will be the focus in the Strategy Theatre on day one, kicking off with a presentation of current global market trends by Mike Garratt, Managing Director of transport and logistics research company, MDS Transmodal.

Sergio Barbarino, R&D Supply Chain Innovation, Procter & Gamble will look at collaboration initiatives through a conference session titled ‘Innovative horizontal collaboration between operators and shippers’ as well as presenting the Eurotunnel Project as a case study.

The topic of container growth will be addressed by Ralf Fiedler, Head of Transport Market Assessment, Fraunhofer CML, who will be asking the question ‘Can terminal and hinterland capacities cope with the peaks?’.

Secure Global Supply Chains and an introduction to the new CORE (Consistently Optimised Resilient Secure Global Supply-Chains) EU project will be presented by Peter Wolters, Secretary General, European Intermodal Association.

Spotlight on Asia

A ‘Spotlight on Asia’ will include a conference session titled ‘New intermodal routes to Central Asia and China from Europe’, presented by Aasim Siddiqui, Former Chairman of the All Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA) and a case study presentation of the new Philippine International Gateway by Rommel Gavieta, Chief Operating Officer of the All Asia Reclamation and Resources Corporation.

Technology and Fuel

An IT and technology forum will take place on day 1, including a conference session from Thomas Sørbø, COO and Co-founder of container shipping consultancy company, Xeneta, that will explain how to gain accurate ocean freight analytics.

A focus on fuels on day 3 will include Roman Poersch, Managing Director of Wilhelm Borchert GmbH, discussing the impact of 2015 SOx, including future traffic flows and shipping lines’ strategies.

“Intermodal Europe is chosen by many companies as a platform to reconnect with customers, prospects and industry peers, all under one roof” adds Sophie Ahmed. “The conference sessions are valuable as an opportunity for delegates to learn about developments in the industry, and to discuss current challenges and solutions with industry specialists.”

Intermodal Europe is a three day free-to-attend exhibition and conference for logistics professionals. Home to Europe’s largest container port, Rotterdam is an ideal location to hold Intermodal Europe, which is widely considered to be one of the most important events in the container shipping calendar.